3 comments:

I happened to see "King Arthur" when I was in New York two weeks ago - I wonder if Terry Teachout was the insufferable jerk near me who kept giggling throughout, to let us know he was "in on the joke"? Yes, Mark Morris is funny - but he isn't solely funny, even in "King Arthur" (which struck me as just Morris treading water anyhow). But some people, having been told, or learned through repetition, that Morris is witty, seem intent on adding their own performances to the one onstage. I'm not saying one should remain absolutely silent through a Morris concert - but to giggle incessantly only means you're going to miss - and force others to miss - some deeply beautiful music. No doubt that's what the woman in front of you was trying to telegraph, Terry.

I know - bitch, bitch, bitch! I suppose I should just resign myself to enduring the in situ performances of the likes of Teachout, which are, at any rate, marginally less irritating than his writing, which tends toward gush like "Goodness, another whirlwind day in my gorgeous life! First a superb repast at Le Bernardin, followed by an elegant evening at Lincoln Center. Best of all, I even had the refreshing opportunity to impress on some bluehair at the opera that beneath my sophisticated veneer beats an unpretentious heart."